Happiness Happens Month is observed every August. Created in 2000 this annual observance encourages people to recognise small moments of joy, appreciate what makes them happy, and share that positive energy with others.
It reminds us that joy comes in small, everyday moments. It shows that being happy is contagious. It also helps build a positive and supportive community.
This August has been very happy so far. I have been travelling in Canada enjoying some of the things that I like most: trees, books and passionate people who share books with children. I went to Ottawa to attend the 40th IBBY World Congress, an event that looks at bringing children and books together. The theme was 'Listening to Each Other's Voices'.
The congress celebrated indigenous voices, something of importance in Canada because there are so many indigenous voices, but there are many similarities for indigenous children's book creators here in Australia. In 2024 Australia's Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) received the Astrid Lindgren Award and they were represented at the congress showcasing the books they have listed to secure access to good literature for First Nations children of Australia.
At the congress we heard about wonderful programs that continue Jella Lepman's vision to connect children to books in times of great need. We met and listened to Canadian picture book creators such as David Robertson, Jon Klassen, Sidney Smith, Kathy Stinson, Barbara Reid and Margriet Ruurs. And an added bonus, Michael Rosen, this year's Hans Christian Anderson Medal winner for writing, Michael Rosen gave the conference dinner address.
I saw many animals that I have never seen; bald eagles, kingfishers, Canadian geese, puffins, a lynx, a pink ibis, a river otter, capybaras, caiman, groundhogs and black squirrels. Wow!
Now that I'm home I have to bottle that happiness and take it back to school with me on Monday. I have so much to tell my students. I must remember to use my moments of joy to make someone else happy.
If unlike me, you feel the need to use some good picture books as provocations for the topic of happiness, try these:
Happy All Over by Emma Quay
An irresistible celebration of the small joys to be found in the everyday.
Celebrate the places, people and things that bring us joy in this uplifting and spirited book.
This joyful picture book is full of delight in the world, outdoors and indoors, showing how happiness can be found in the smallest things. It encourages children to slow down and use all their senses to notice and enjoy the natural world. Happiness is truly all around us.
Where Happiness Begins by Eva Eland
Are you looking for happiness? Sometimes it can feel really far away, and sometimes you might have so much you can’t help but share. You can try to chase it, control it or capture it, but even if it seems like it’s gone for a while, you’ll know it’s never far away...
Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you?
"A sprinkle of happiness ... that's all you need!"
When a boy and his grandma find a tiny sunflower seed and plant
it together, their love and care transforms it into a towering
sunflower that spreads joy through their community.
When a boy and his grandma find a tiny sunflower seed and plant
it together, their love and care transforms it into a towering
sunflower that spreads joy through their community.
